Background: Individuals with intellectual disability are vulnerable to loneliness and face barriers and challenges when it comes to opportunities creating social relationships. Their social network are comprised mainly of family members and professionals. Working with individuals with an intellectual disability require interaction and creating a relationship. Professionals have a key role in supporting individual rights and opportunities regarding social inclusion. Purpose: The aim of this litterature review is to describe previous research of the professional relationship and attitudes when working with individuals who have an intellectual disability. This study aims to explore the meaning of the professional relationship and how professionals balance between what they want to do and what they can do within the professional relationship. Method: A qualitative approach was chosen, including a thematic content analysis based on 22 articles. Two main themes emerged: 1) The meaning of the relationship and 2) The professional framework. Result and conclusion: The professionals approach to the relationship, individual values and the organisational structure, affects how the relationship with individuals with an intellectual disability is established, shaped and managed. The professional framework involves power to shape the relationship and thus affect the individual rights and possibilites to social inclusion.